Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kamakshi Amman Temple is situated in the ancient city of Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, built by the Pallava kings. Kamakshi Amman Temple is popularly associated with the great Hindu saint Adi Sankaracharya and is also called as Adi Peeteswari Kamakshi Devi temple. It is said that the saint Adi Sankaracharya defeated Buddhist in this place, provoking an amelioration for Hinduism.

It is also believed that the saint Adi Sankaracharya placed a divine chakra before the Goddess which is a reason for the peaceful and warm-hearted representation of Goddess Kamakshi in this temple. Initially Goddess Kamakshi was a ruthless form of Shakti. The mythology says that Goddess Kamakshi made a Shivalingam out of sand and offered worship to it under a mango tree and acquired Lord Shiva as Her Husband.

A closeup view of Kamakshi Amman Temple towers

Specialty

The main deity of this Kamakshi Amman Temple is Goddess Kamakshi, one of the forms of Goddess Parvati (Goddess Shakti). This temple is considered as one of the holy shrines of Goddess Parvati (or) Goddess Shakti. The other adobes of Goddess Parvati are:

Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai

Akilandeswari Temple at Thiruvanaikaval

Vishalakshi Temple at Varanasi

An image of Kamakshi Amman Temple entrance tower

The other deities of this temple are Lord Ardhanareeswarar, Lord Vinayaga, Goddess Soundaryalakshmi, Lord Kallar and Varaahi. The main tower of this temple is fully gold plated and the temple has a Golden chariot. The Kamakshi Amman temple contains golden Gopuram on the sanctorum of Goddess Kamakshi. Goddess Kamakshi is seated in a Padmasana posture (a yogic posture), which represents peace and prosperity. The Goddess Kamakshi holds a sugarcane bow, a lotus and a parrot in the lower two of Her arms and holds two instruments, a lasso and a goad in upper two arms.

There are no other Shakti temples found in Kanchipuram city except Kamakshi Amman Temple. It is said that the Goddess Kamakshi had to absorb all the other Shakti forms to give a boon to Kama, the god of love. There is a temple tank inside the temple premises. And near to that temple tank the images of Lord Vishnu in the standing, sitting and sleeping postures are traceable.

A beautiful image of Kamakshi Amman Temple pond with towers

Pooja Timings

Cow Pooja – 5.30 AM ( Daily )

Abishekam – 6.00 AM / 10.30 AM / 4.30 PM ( Daily )

Golden Chariot – Fridays / Tamil Month First Day / Full Moon Day / New Moon Day / Pooram Star Day

By Road

Kanchipuram which is 75-km away from Chennai is well connected by a network of roads. There are frequent buses from the city to Chennai, Bangalore and other places. For local transportation bicycles can be hired from the shops near the bus stand. Cycle Rickshaws and auto rickshaws are also available on hire to move in and around the city.

By Train

There are various Trains for Kanchipuram which are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, and Bangalore.